FCC Consumer Complaints – 16 February 2026
Introduction
On Monday, 16 February 2026, the Federal Communications Commission recorded 820 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services, complaint volume increased from 417 complaints the day before. The complaints came from 49 states and territories, with California reporting a modestly higher count than the other locations. Unwanted Calls recorded a slightly higher number of complaints than other issues.
This date falls within a government shutdown period from 14 February 2026 to 30 April 2026. Complaint volumes during this period may be lower than usual.
Key statistics
- Total complaints
- 820
- States & territories reporting
- 49
- Most common issue
- Unwanted Calls (290)
- Most reported state/territory
- California (93)
Where the complaints came from
Across 583 cities in 49 states and territories, a total of 820 complaints were recorded on 16 February 2026. Overall, complaint activity was broadly distributed, with no single state or territory representing a significant proportion of the total. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.
The table below shows the distribution of complaints by state and territory for this date, highlighting the locations with the highest number of reports.
| State/Territory | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 93 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 73 | 8.9% |
| Texas | 64 | 7.8% |
| New York | 46 | 5.6% |
| Michigan | 39 | 4.8% |
| North Carolina | 37 | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 34 | 4.1% |
| Ohio | 31 | 3.8% |
| New Jersey | 24 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 24 | 2.9% |
| Other states and territories | 355 | 43.3% |
What the complaints were about
The complaints recorded on this date fell into 6 different complaint categories. Phone was the most reported category, with 613 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.
| Complaint category | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 613 | 74.8% |
| Internet | 139 | 17.0% |
| TV | 39 | 4.8% |
| Radio | 22 | 2.7% |
| Emergency | 5 | 0.6% |
| Accessibility | 2 | 0.2% |
Phone complaints
613 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 74.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unwanted Calls | 290 | 47.3% |
| Billing | 153 | 25.0% |
| Availability (including rural call completion) | 54 | 8.8% |
| Equipment | 43 | 7.0% |
| Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) | 29 | 4.7% |
| Privacy | 16 | 2.6% |
| Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) | 14 | 2.3% |
| Interference (including signal jammers) | 10 | 1.6% |
| Junk Faxes | 2 | 0.3% |
| Slamming (change of your carrier without permission) | 2 | 0.3% |
Unwanted calls again accounted for the largest share of complaints in this category. These reports are examined in more detail in the section below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Availability (including rural call completion) and Equipment.
Internet complaints
139 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 17.0% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 67 | 48.2% |
| Availability | 25 | 18.0% |
| Speed | 17 | 12.2% |
| Interference | 11 | 7.9% |
| Privacy | 11 | 7.9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 5.8% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Availability, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
TV complaints
39 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 4.8% of the total.
| Issue | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | 12 | 30.8% |
| Indecency | 12 | 30.8% |
| Availability | 7 | 17.9% |
| Loud Commercials | 6 | 15.4% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.6% |
| Interference | 1 | 2.6% |
The largest share of complaints in this category related to Billing and Indecency, with fewer reports falling into other issue types.
Unwanted calls
A total of 290 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, representing 35.4% of all complaints. Caller ID and business contact numbers are shown below where sufficient data is available.
Most reported business contact numbers
| Telephone number | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| (276) 455-8493 | 11 | 3.8% |
| (866) 878-6251 | 5 | 1.7% |
| (866) 959-0962 | 5 | 1.7% |
| (877) 419-6664 | 5 | 1.7% |
| (833) 727-9955 | 3 | 1.0% |
| (315) 215-8127 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (315) 215-8138 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (518) 888-0465 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (810) 662-6918 | 2 | 0.7% |
| (833) 487-2806 | 2 | 0.7% |
Key patterns
- Other Services accounted for the largest share of unwanted call complaints by service type.
- Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
- (276) 455-8493 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
- Reports were spread across many different caller ID numbers, with no single number dominating.
The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.
Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.